SixthForm Prospectus
Tudor Grange Academy Solihull
Welcome to our Sixth Form We aspire to be the institution of choice for post 16 provision in Solihull. We believe we can offer all post 16 students a unique experience which will lead to excellent A level results together with the skills and qualities needed for future success. In 2013 we were delighted with our year 13 results with a pass rate of 98% and over 50% A*- B grades. All students who applied to university were successful in gaining their desired place, with over a quarter of them securing places at some of the top universities in the country, including the Russell group of universities such as Warwick, Birmingham, Durham, Edinburgh, and this year Oxford, Cambridge and Imperial. Students who applied for highly competitive apprenticeship and employment opportunities were also successful in securing positions, with one very talented student going on to study at the Royal Northern College of Music. Whether your next step involves continuing your education at university or entering into your first career appointment, our aim for every student entering our Sixth Form is simple: •
You have a fantastic two year experience that is surpassed by no other Sixth Form in the area.
•
You gain the best results possible, which in turn allows you to gain the best university places and the best careers and the best possible quality of life
•
You are fully supported throughout your time with us and gain the knowledge and skills to equip you for the competitive, rapidly evolving and ever shrinking world that we live in.
•
You leave us proud to have been a student at Tudor Grange Sixth Form and feeling that we have assisted you in securing your inevitable success.
All we ask for in return is this : •
You are committed to achieving excellence in everything you do as a student and as a senior role model within the Academy.
•
You accept all the opportunities available to you to improve your own and others’ experiences and successes at the Academy.
•
You are an active partner in your learning and success, which will involve living up to expectations but also challenging others to do the same.
•
You work hard and play hard!
We firmly believe that our Sixth Form offer will facilitate your future success by giving you many keys to many doors. There is an abundance of opportunity waiting for you here at Tudor Grange. We want you to take advantage of it and join us for the next two years of your life journey. I look forward to welcoming you and your parents to Tudor Grange Academy Solihull Sixth Form and working with you to secure and realise your potential.
Mr R A Grover - Principal
Executive Board The Executive Board is made up of students who have been elected by their fellow students. Two of the board members are then elected to be the Chief Executives.
...to achieve the very best in all we do Welcome from Ashwin Prashar, Chief Executive Here at Tudor Grange Academy we aim to exceed expectations. With the help from our teachers and peers, we all strive to achieve the very best in all we do. Being part of the Executive Board, we are presented with many challenges and opportunities. We develop a set of skills ranging from public speaking to liaising with senior staff, students and parents. We ensure students have a voice to implement their ideas through the committees: Social Activities, Charities, Curriculum Support and Intervention, Media and TG Community. We believe we make a special contribution through organising social events, supporting numerous charities throughout the year, listening to fellow students to enhance learning experiences, utilising the creativity of students through the various forms of media we have today, or instilling a sense of togetherness in the school community through various events held throughout the school year. We want to harness the talent that flows in every classroom and corridor of this academy to produce things that we can all be proud of. The work of students and staff alike contribute to the long line of excellence that has been created here at Tudor Grange Academy.
Choosing your courses We offer students two routes to success at post 16.
Route 1a Route 1a is for students wanting a highly academically demanding curriculum, studying four academic A levels, typically two or more in the facilitating subjects, for universities with very selective entry requirements. The facilitating subjects identified by the Russell Group of universities are Mathematics, Further Maths, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, History, Geography, Modern Foreign Languages and English Literature. Students choosing this route may typically need preparation for university aptitude tests, interviews or other entry tests such as the United Kingdom Clinical Aptitude Test. This route is for: Students with six GCSE’s at A* or A including mathematics and English of at least B grades. Students wishing to study four A levels in years 12 and 13. Students will : • Receive one hour of timetabled personal mentoring per week. • Participate in Academy enrichment opportunities
Route 1b Route 1b is for students wanting a highly academically demanding curriculum, studying three academic A levels (as in Route 1a) This route is for: Students with six GCSE’s at A* or A including mathematics and English of at least B grades. Students wishing to study three A levels in years 12 and 13. Students will : • Receive one hour of timetabled personal mentoring per week • Participate in Academy enrichment opportunities • The opportunity to participate in an industry placement one day per week
Route 2 Route 2 is an academic route for students who wish to study three A levels with a wide range of subjects on offer. In addition students embarking on route 2 will engage in a substantial out of academy placement. This route is for: Students with six GCSE’s at grade B or above including maths and English of at least C grades Students wishing study three A’levels in years 12 and 13 Students will • Have the opportunity to complete the Extended Project Qualification • Participate in Academy enrichment opportunities • Undertake a one day per week industry placement
Industry Placements In today’s highly competitive, technological workplace, we believe it is imperative we offer our students the opportunity to advance following their post-16 studies with a portfolio of both academic and ‘life’ skills that will enable them to be at the forefront of recruitment and selection for University places or applications for apprenticeships. Students studying three A levels will spend one day a week at an industry placement that has been carefully selected and matched to the individual student’s interests and future plans. This workplace based learning will develop a number of skills that have been recommended by the CBI (Confederation of British Industry) as essential for success in business and adult working life, which they feel are currently lacking in students who leave Post 16 education and even university study. The selected partner companies will provide each of its students with a problem that will need to be worked through to a possible solution. Such challenges will develop and call upon skills such as resilience, risk taking, problem solving, creativity, innovation and communication. All of these skills and attributes will be invaluable in later life and during interviews for university or apprenticeships. Students will also be treated as young professionals within the work place and expected to conduct themselves in accordance with this.
A challenge and experience in itself!
Enrichment In addition to the academic curriculum all students are encouraged to become involved in the wider enrichment opportunities that are available. Currently 95% of year 12s are engaged in activities such as: •
Helping with the Academy’s Skills Actions and Service (SAS) programme
•
Mentoring younger pupils across a wide range of subjects
•
Helping to deliver sport, literacy and numeracy lessons at our partner junior school Tudor Grange Primary Academy St James
•
Joining our highly successful and well established Duke of Edinburgh Scheme
•
Involvement in performances and concerts staged by our Performing Arts (music and drama) department
•
Participating in student societies, such as the popular debating society
Wider involvement in the academy helps students develop a range of valuable skills and gives them the confidence and experience to meet the challenges and make the most of the opportunities that university or the world of work will give them. We believe in giving sixth form students real responsibility. This includes giving them the chance to: •
Organise large scale student events such as the Christmas Charity Ball •
Run student led committees organising charity fund raising, media and publicity, posts on our website and inputting to our curriculum •
Undertake paid employment as duty staff
...real responsibility
Adventure & Challenge Sixth Form Induction Saturday July 5th – Monday 7th 2014 Outward Bound Aberdovey As part of our induction to the Sixth Form we have arranged a short activity weekend with Outward Bound. The only contribution that will need to be made by existing Tudor Grange students is to the transport costs to and from the venue. External candidates who have put us as their first choice are more than welcome to join the visit but they will need to pay the full costs of the visit to secure their place. We hope this will be an opportunity for our new Sixth Form students to share experiences, enjoy working together to overcome the challenges that the trip will provide them with, cement existing friendships and possibly create new ones in preparation for starting Year 12 with us in September. They will also have lots of fun! The course will be held over 3 days at Outward Bound’s coastal centre in Wales. Again, the students will be challenged to their personal limits in an enjoyable, memorable and supportive way. Sample Programme:
Saturday
Sunday
Monday
Experience adventure & achieve
Review / transfer of learning
Arrive @ 12.00 Course
personal goals. Planning &
High ropes / leap of faith /
Introduction
working with others.
orienteering / local challenges.
Wharf day – canoe journey, cutter
Depart at 12:00
AM PM
Scene setting Team dynamics / Jetty Jump
sailing, sea kayaking etc Eve
Journey to and spend night in
Nightline / scramble, fire on the
forest cabin, on the beach, in tents
beach, in grounds high dynamics
etc.
Team & Leadership Development Team & Leadership Development – Year 12 & 13 Outward Bound Ullswater A further opportunity in the Sixth Form for those students who wish to improve their Leadership skills and put themselves forward as student executive members is provided in the Spring Term. There will be a cost to each student for this, but will be incredibly valuable to their personal development and will certainly be a helpful and welcomed addition to their CV and UCAS personal statement. This programme will focus on members of the Executive Board from Year 13 & prospective members from Year 12 . The course will be held over a week at the centre on Ullswater in the Lake District National Park.
Monday AM
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Belbin Self
Operation
Achieving goals
Challenge Wall
Perception study /
Longreach
Tannenbaum and
Return to centre
Gorge Walking /
Schmidt Leadership
De-gunge Kit
high activities / raft
Course Presentations
Continuum / Leading
Review
planning & rafting.
Photo Slide Show
Event
or Managing etc. PM
Arrive @ 13.00
Return from
Buffet Lunch
expedition.
Depart @ 13.00
Linked journey
Orienteering, journey
Course
– rocks / water /
on water / land /
Introduction
walk etc. Operation
linked
Longreach Scene setting Team dynamics / Operation Longreach brief issued Eve
Expedition
Wilderness camp in
Team Tasks
Presentation
Planning + Packing /
Cabin, lodge, tent.
Pack + Prepare for
Preparation
following day
Action Plan
In grounds sessions.
Meeting Individual Needs The high retention rates we are already achieving demonstrate that students who join us stay with us. This is partly due to the support and guidance we put in place for our sixth form students.
Tutorial Support All sixth formers join a mixed year 12/13 tutor group usually with two members of staff to provide tutorial support and advice.
Leadership of the Sixth Form The Leadership Team and Director of Post 16 (DoPSS) provide support to students across the Sixth form and careful arrangements are in place to track and monitor student progress. Students who are underachieving will receive a variety of support from tutors, subject teachers, curriculum leaders and the DoPSS.
Specific Needs Students with specific and specialist needs are as a result of learning difficulties, disability or long term illness will be given specific support on a one to one basis. Some students with particular learning difficulties may receive additional support in class. Close links will be maintained with home and the curriculum will be modified if necessary to support a student in need.
Sixth Form Bursary Financial support is available through the Post 16 Bursary fund. Various factors may mean that a student is entitled to apply. Details of the policy and application forms can be found on the Student Resource area of the network. Any student who was eligible for free school meals in year 11 and whose circumstances have remained unchanged should definitely see DoPSS for further details. Other students who live in households in receipts of certain benefits may be eligible for the fund and are encouraged to enquire.
Careers Advice Our careers adviser is available to see, by appointment. The adviser will discuss options with students, provide them with information and provide students with personalised career plans.
6th Form Results Year 12 (September 2012 - July 2013) AS results are above Solihull and National average and it is our intention that they continue to rise progressively to become one of the best in the country. Grade breakdown for AS level A
B
C
D
E
U
Tudor Grange Academy
21.4%
22.5%
22.2%
18.4%
8.4%
7.0%
Solihull Metropolian Borough Council (2012)
15.4%
22.0%
22.5%
17.7%
11.5%
10.9%
National (2012)
16.5%
19.6%
22.2%
18.1%
11.8%
11.7%
Source - Learning Plus UK, Autumn 2013 Retention rate - 97% Year 13 (September 2011 - July 2013) A* - B grades
- 50.5%
A* - E grades
- 98.0%
In year retention - 100%
University destinations 84% of this year group went to university, of which 25.4% were Russell Group universities. Other students went on to apprenticeships, employment with training and one student to the Royal Northern College of Music.
How to apply Either download an application form from our website or contact the academy for an application form. Please post your completed application to Mrs Yates at the academy or email jyates@solihull.tgacademy.org.uk. We will confirm receipt of your application and contact you as required.
Timescales for applying The academy has set the deadline of Friday 7th March 2014 for the receiving of internal and external applications to enable it to plan timetabling and staffing. We will always seek to respond positively to late applications, however the choice and availability of courses may be limited.
Tudor Grange Academy Dingle Lane Solihull West Midlands B91 3PD 0121 705 5100 www.solihull.tgacademy.org.uk office@solihull.tgacademy.org.uk